Nebraska has Probable Case of Swine Flu

Lincoln—A probable case of swine influenza has been determined in Nebraska, according to Dr. Joann Schaefer, Chief Medical Officer for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

“Nebraska is reporting to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that our public health lab has detected a probable case of swine flu in a person within our borders who sought treatment here because he was here on vacation,” Dr. Schaefer said. “If confirmed, this ultimately will be reported as a California case because cases of infectious disease are counted by the CDC by residence and this individual is a California resident.”

The Douglas County Health Department is working on tracking his contacts to see if they are experiencing any signs of illness. His contacts are being informed that they may have been exposed and should seek medical care if they have symptoms.

“We are working closely with the Douglas County Health Department to keep on top of things,” Dr. Schaefer said. “DHHS infectious disease staff are coordinating efforts with Douglas County staff and sharing information.”

DHHS released today information about specimens that are either at the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory or that have been sent to the CDC for confirmation.

There are currently:

*Pending public health tests: 8

**Probable cases: 1 Douglas County

***Confirmed cases: 0

A specimen from this probable case will be sent to the CDC for confirmation.

Physicians were alerted on Sunday to be on the watch for cases of respiratory illness that resemble influenza and to submit specimens from patients to the Public Health Laboratory. Another health alert will be sent out to inform them that a case of swine influenza has been found in Nebraska.

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NOTE: Numbers of cases will be released by 9:00 a.m. every weekday. A news release will be sent out and the numbers will be listed on the DHHS Web site. A media briefing will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. See Media Advisory for details.

*Counties of residence will not be given for pending tests.

**The definition of a probable case is a case that has tested positive for influenza A and is not seasonal flu. The specimen will be sent to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention for confirmatory testing

***The definition of a confirmed case is one that the CDC has determined is a case of swine influenza.